The Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority reports that last year's costs for such elective procedures as chemical peels and other skin treatments are up $8 million over the 2004 tab for comestic surgery provided under the teachers' union contract.

School district officials say teachers or their dependents accounted for 90 percent of the approximatley 500 people who received cosmetic surgery last year. About 10,000 district employees are eligible for the beneift.

The president of the teachers' union says the union has agreed to give up the benefit in the next contract.